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How to achieve the middle class / posh girl look and lifestyle?

634 replies

stuckonchapterone · 02/05/2015 19:21

Hello everyone.

I was seen, and read some threads similar to this, however I was wondering whether anyone could give me some advice, it would be much appreciated Smile

I have long been a 'fan' of the posh / middle class fashion look e.g. long hair, joules, white stuff ect. I was wondering what staples you would suggest purchasing in order to achieve this look and lifestyle e.g. I am looking into buying a barbour coat, once I can get to the shops (currently recovering from an illness at the moment, and part of this post is get some advice before I update my wardrobe to make myself feel a bit better) Advice on where to shop / eat and act would be great too Smile

Any tips / advice to help me achieve this look / lifestyle would be greatly appreciated. No negative comments please.

Thanks all! Smile

OP posts:
Thread gallery
18
ZeroFunDame · 05/05/2015 15:08

My God that list sounds depressing.

Sorry (ish).

YouMakeMyHeartSmile · 05/05/2015 15:10

Agreed zero. Sounds so dull.

HumourlessHarpy · 05/05/2015 15:44

It sounds like a set of rules on how to be visually inoffensive. Even reading it makes me want to team a pair of Su Pollard wacky glasses with a leopardskin ra-ra skirt.

PetiteBateau · 05/05/2015 15:56

Agree, very bland. You could be entirely invisible

PetiteBateau · 05/05/2015 15:57

Joyless in fact

squoosh · 05/05/2015 15:58

But I suppose there are lots of people who want to blend in. Fashion forward is not what they're about.

holmessweetholmes · 05/05/2015 16:10

I'd rather be visually inoffensive than visually offensive Grin. Surely what stands out in these kind of clothes is ideally their quality. The way to blend in and look dull like everyone else on an average street in an average town would not be to look like Kate Middleton or someone super-groomed with impeccable clothes and immaculate hair etc. Unless you all live in Kensington. If I walked through my local town dressed that immaculately and expensively, I'd actually feel slightly self-conscious!

KissyBoo · 05/05/2015 16:26

Some people value quality and classic style over fashion. Agreed it is minimalist but some are more comfortable being understated.

Where I live you would stand out dressed as above because most people are in garish printed tunics with leggings or arse scratching grey marl teamed with uggs. Team a dodgy highlighted/burgundy inverted bob, crusty fake tan and tats and you would blend right in.

Gralick · 05/05/2015 16:28

But Middleton doesn't go around in head-to-foot monochrome!

Parisiennes still do, though. Boring biches.

PetiteBateau · 05/05/2015 16:36

I think you can still have good quality without head to toe beige navy grey combo

squoosh · 05/05/2015 16:44

Yeah you can but some people just love the navy and taupe look.

BabyGanoush · 05/05/2015 16:47

Tiz, what a wanker!

If he'd had any class, he would have complimented you on your outfit or said nothing.

Bet he's a rubbish boss.

You should not feel embarrassed, but angry IMO!

KissyBoo · 05/05/2015 17:00

I personally don't like the Duchess of Cambridge's personal style. Too fussy and too high of heel. She pretty much always looks like she is channelling a Jacque Vert mother-of-the-bride look.

I think Jennifer Aniston generally dresses well.

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 05/05/2015 17:03

I agree, those heels!

squoosh · 05/05/2015 17:08

I agree that KM can often look quite matronly in what she wears.

How would you describe Jennifer Aniston's style? Classic American? She nearly always looks good.

Tizwailor · 05/05/2015 17:10

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

polyhymnia · 05/05/2015 17:16

Just look under Style and Beauty. It should've quite high up .

holmessweetholmes · 05/05/2015 17:37

I just Googled Jennifer Aniston style and in most of the first couple of pages of pics that came up she was wearing pretty much exactly the kind of stuff that's been recommended to the OP (skinnies, white shirts, blazer - type jackets, brown boots etc. . Except a few where she was wearing very short dresses or red carpet outfits. Mostly navy and neutral colours. And she definitely doesn't look dull or matronly! Being very slim and having lots of money must help...

ZaraW · 05/05/2015 18:00

Jenifer Aniston is also a bit boring though isn't she?
www.garancedore.fr/en/ may give OP some ideas.

Lndnmummy · 05/05/2015 18:34

If i looked like Jennifer A id take boring any day

AyMamita · 05/05/2015 21:22

OP I think people are having a go because you still haven't explained what/who you want to look like! To me, middle-class and posh are not at all the same thing.

ZeroFunDame · 05/05/2015 21:46

You may have missed a page AyMamita! The OP left the building considerably more than 24 hours ago - and I don't think anyone could be said to have been "having a go" at her at all since then.

AddToBasket · 05/05/2015 22:02

OP, good for you wanting to change things up.

I've really enjoyed this thread because a friend of mine asked me for advice on this recently. She'd just read a book called The Start Up of You (or something) by the Linked-In guy. She was really direct about wanting to change herself and get her family moving in more cultured circles. I have complete respect for that kind of aspiration. Why not go for something you like the look of?

Lots of my mates dress in 'County Set' style. It's a pretty good choice for a new look as it really can be done at any price point. And you won't look so fashionable that it will need updating quickly.

Fortunately, unlike aspiring to be a WAG or fashionista, posh people don't give a stuff about bags (usually left in the car) so that's one expensive item you don't have to invest in.

Tweed is never too far away (this is good for a handbag, jacket also).

Shoes should never be very high.

No tan, except a bit of colour from skiing/riding.

Dubarry/Le Chameau if you have money. Any other wellies/long brown leather boots if you don't. When I say any other wellies, obviously, these must be plain coloured. No fun boots.

Fun shirts are fine though, worn under v-necks.

Lambswool jerseys.

Posh people don't really know about nail art. Don't do it.

Most posh people aren't rich, or at least, don't consider themselves wealthy so dislike displays of wealth. No logos except unavoidable Joules/Boden type.

Shop in John Lewis - always, for everything.

DO: cook from scratch, go to point-to-points, make friends with mums at dc swimming, read books, suggest going to exhibitions you might like, go on nature walk-type organised activities at National Trust places.

DON'T: ever talk about cleaning or keeping your house clean or wanting the house to be clean or remarking on how clean somebody's house is (dead giveaway). Shoes by the door, you can do this, but it will be noted. Don't be allergic to dogs or frightened of them (seriously).

EuphemiaCoxton · 06/05/2015 08:40

Buy a vintage Kelly bag. They arwnr expensive. Classic, quality, practical and individual. Then swan about like the queen.

I am talking about a granny/queen shaped one not a Victoria Beckham shaped one.

JoanHickson · 06/05/2015 12:56

Cleaning is thought of as a lower class activity. Taking about the price of everything is also more towards the lower class type of conversation. The word posh to describe a person, activity or item is a give away you are of a lower class. The more blind in everyday life for example nail art and pink hair the lower class you are perceived.

My family blend into and are not quite any class. My dd loves nail art, we wear KM type clothing, experienced multiple activities we like to watch documentaries and TOWIE. We and use fish knives, pastry and cake forks etc. We shop in Aldington. Lidl, sainsburys, Tesco, Waitrose and at M&SGrin We are partial to the sausage rolls and pastries in Harrods if we are near The natural history museum. We have eaten in Michelin at star restaurants, Carlutios and the Harvester. We can't spell and are well read, my oldest had moved on to the classics by year seven. My dc attend state school and intend to go to uni.

Middle classes speak about holidays, nice food and activities such as a museum visit.

I have met only new money very wealthy people no landed gentry.

Just enjoy experiencing activities you fancy. I don't blame you wanting to try new things, as we mature we change. It doesn't matter really what class someone is or how they dress. I just do my own thing.